Welcome to the September edition of This edition provides you with an update on a number of issues including: ; ; and learner. Welcome to the September edition of. I hope you find the articles both interesting and informative. JENNIFER CAMPBELL Registrar
CONSULTATION UPDATE Following on from our consultation exercise in October 2013, we are now moving forward with implementing the changes we proposed. The final date for implementation is dependent on the legislation being laid, but we anticipate this will be during January 2015. Changes are as follows: Trainee Licences: We are making it mandatory for trainee licence holders to display their trainee licence whilst giving instruction. In addition, a second trainee licence will be invalidated if the expired first licence is not returned to DVA ADI section within the required timescales. In the longer term, the number of trainee licences will be reduced to a maximum of one. This change can only be achieved by amending primary legislation, which takes longer to achieve. Registration for B+E (car + trailer) Trainers: We are introducing a requirement that trainers for category B+E (car + trailer) must be registered ADIs. The legislation will be in place from early 2015, but we have built in a one year transitional period to allow time for unregistered B+E trainers to pass the ADI qualifying examination. If you know someone who is offering B+E who isn t an ADI, please tell them about this forthcoming change and ask them to contact DVA ADI section for more information on how it will affect them. If you are already an ADI, have full B+E entitlement on your driving licence and would like to be registered to teach B+E, please email us at ADIOnlinecorrespondence@doeni.gov.uk advising that you want your registration to include B+E and confirming that you have full B+E entitlement. Continued
CONSULTATION UPDATE (continued) Changes to ADI Part 2 & 3 Examination for Drivers with Medically Restricted Licence: We are removing the barrier to disabled drivers who wish to become ADIs, by enabling them to take their Part 2 & 3 test in automatic cars. This option will only be available to drivers who hold a medically restricted driving licence, preventing them from driving manual vehicles. Guidance Issued by Registrar: Finally, as proposed in the consultation, we re formalising the list of information that must be regarded as guidance issued by the Registrar. The (NI) Order 2007 sets out the conditions of registration for instructors and includes a requirement that instructors must follow guidance issued by the Registrar. The final agreed list of documents are: Code of Conduct for ADIs and AMIs; AMI Conditions of Registration; An Instructor s Guide to Delivering & Information Manual; Conditions of Authority and instructions included in the quarterly newsletter; and Other written instructions issued by the Registrar. A copy of the consultation can be viewed at http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/information/foi/recentreleases/publications-details.htm?docid=9203 The Summary of Responses, Department s Response and The Next Steps Document can be viewed at http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/information/foi/recentreleases/publications-details.htm?docid=9877
ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 The was introduced to the Assembly on 12 May 2014. The purpose of the Bill is to provide the necessary powers to establish a new drink driving regime, introduce a system of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and make mandatory the wearing of helmets on quad bikes on public roads. Drink Driving: The Bill will replace the current limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood with two new limits, each applicable to different categories of licence holder: 50mg/100ml for most drivers, with a lower limit of 20mg/100ml for learner, novice or professional drivers. Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL): Although young drivers comprise only 10% of full licence holders, between 2008 and 2012, 43% of fatal collisions on our roads, for which car drivers were responsible, were caused by drivers aged 17-24. Almost 20% of all new drivers have some kind of collision within their first six months of driving. The scale of the problem necessitates fundamental changes to how new drivers are trained, tested and gain experience once they have obtained their full licence and this is what this part of the Bill addresses. The Bill also introduces changes to penalties for drink driving and police powers to detect drink drivers. Continued
ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 (continued) The measures include: lowering the age at which young people can start to learn to drive (i.e. obtain a provisional licence) from 17 years to 16½; introducing a 12 month mandatory minimum learning period; adopting a programme of with completion to be evidenced by an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)/supervising driver via a compulsory student logbook; removing the 45mph restriction on learner and restricted drivers and riders facilitating revision of practical tests to allow candidates to be assessed while driving at up to posted speeds; permitting learner drivers to take lessons on motorways when accompanied by an ADI in a dual-controlled car; introducing restrictions on carrying more than one young passenger (aged 14-20) for drivers under the age of 24 during the first six months post test; providing remedial courses for New Drivers Order offenders (people who have, in the first two years of driving, accumulated 6 penalty points or more); replacing the R plate with a new plate, the detail of which is to be decided; and introducing a two year post test new driver period in line with the existing New Drivers Order probationary period and the planned period of application of lower blood alcohol limit for newly qualified drivers and riders. Continued
ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 (continued) Wearing of Helmets on Quad Bikes: At present, the Department only has power to make Regulations requiring motorcyclists to wear protective headgear. The Bill extends this power to cover all motor vehicles and it is intended to use this power to make Regulations requiring quad drivers and passengers to wear helmets when using such vehicles on the public road. Timing : The Committee Stage of the Bill is currently underway and the full committee stage is due to end in March 2015. Following debate in the NI Assembly, it is anticipated that the Bill will achieve Royal Assent in August 2015. Elements of the Bill, e.g. the detail of proposed programmes of, will be consulted on following Royal Assent, allowing further opportunity to comment on the proposals. Further details can be obtained at: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly- Business/Committees/Environment/Bills/Road-Traffic- Amendment-Bill---Committee-Stage/
USE OF MOPEDS FOR COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING (): We have been contacted by a number of AMIs seeking clarification on the use of Compulsory Basic Training (). In particular, the definition of a moped, the driving licence category required and how to complete the certificate. I hope the following information is useful. Definition of a Moped: A moped is defined as a machine of 50cc or less with a maximum design speed of not more than 45km/h (28mph). In order to be classified as a moped and allow a pupil to ride it at 16 years using a category AM licence, the machine must meet both of these criteria. For example, if the machine is 70cc or if it is 50cc but has been manufactured or de-restricted to give it a higher design speed more than 45km/h (28mph), then it cannot be classified as a moped. It would be classified as a motorcycle and a rider needs to be at least 17 years to ride it using a category A1 motorcycle licence. Continued
USE OF MOPEDS FOR COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING () (continued) Machines which are not Mopeds: Some pupils believe that since their machine is of the scooter type or has automatic transmission then it is, irrespective of the above criteria, a moped and they can ride it at 16 years. This is not always the case and you do need to be sure, before starts, that the machine is indeed a moped, not a motorcycle. An example is the Honda Vision 110cc, which a pupil wrongly believed he could ride at 16 years because it was a scooter with automatic transmission. It in fact belonged in category A1 and could only be ridden at 17 years. Mopeds with Manual Transmission: Some mopeds have manual transmission and we have been asked if completed on this type of vehicle at 16 years, and a certificate issued for category AM, would cover the pupil to ride a category A1 motorcycle at 17 years. The answer is yes, provided the certificate is still valid. Completion of Certificates for Mopeds: Please ensure that you tick the appropriate boxes when completing a certificate. It is incorrect to tick the Machine Used box as Moped and to also tick the Category box A1. In fact it should be Moped and AM respectively. Also, please do not tick the Machine Used box as and also tick the Category Box AM. Continued
USE OF MOPEDS FOR COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING () (continued) Alteration of Certificates by Third Parties: We recently had to refuse to take an on road motorcycle test as the certificate presented to the examiner had been altered. The certificate was completed correctly and issued by the AMI but had been altered during the time between completion of the and the test. The examiner found that two category boxes had been ticked on the certificate. The examiner had no option other than to abandon the test. to inform your pupils at the time you issue the certificate, that it is an official document and must not be altered in any way. If a certificate is altered, it immediately makes it invalid. In order to avoid these situations and the obvious disappointment it causes a candidate, I would ask you all
MOTORCYCLE ON-ROAD TRAINING We have had enquiries regarding the correct road position an AMI should adopt in relation to their pupil s position when delivering. It would appear that some instructors are favouring a position where they take the lead and the pupils follow. This practice, while at times might be appropriate for giving a demonstration, should be seen as the exception and not the rule. The dangers with this practice are many and an AMI may be unaware of a situation that confronts an unsuspecting rider. This can prove problematic as the only means of doing this is through use of mirrors or by taking direct rear observation. This is turn could lead to the AMI being unaware of what is happening ahead. It is more often the safer option for a pupil to lead and the AMI to follow. It gives a much clearer view of what the pupils are doing and gives the AMI greater opportunity to be pro-active with instruction rather than reactive. During practical an AMI must not allow a pupil to ride out of sight as the AMI cannot maintain control. Similarly, if you find it necessary to ride in front of your pupils at some point, e.g. to give a demonstration, you must maintain visual contact with them at all times.
USE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CERTIFICATES IN We have been contacted by a number of trainers seeking clarification on the use of a Northern Ireland. It has been agreed with Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) that a valid Northern Ireland certificate will be accepted in for the purposes of a candidate s motorcycle practical test. The Northern Ireland legislation however recognises the use of certificates issued in.
REDUCTION IN THE COST OF LEARNER THEORY TESTS Minister Mark H Durkin announced recently that, from October 2014, the fees charged for all categories of theory test would be reduced. Test Category Current Cost October 2014 October 2015 Car & 30.00 25.00 23.00 A further reduction will be applied in October 2015. Details of the new fees are as follows: Bus & Lorry Multiple Choice Bus & Lorry Hazard Perception Bus & Lorry CPC (Module 2) ADI/AMI Part 1 theory test 35.00 28.00 26.00 15.00 12.00 11.00 30.00 24.00 23.00 72.00 66.00 64.00
ABOLITION OF PAPER TAX DISC With effect from 1 October 2014, the will no longer be issued. If you have a tax with any months left to run after this date, then it can be removed from the vehicle windscreen and destroyed. This will apply to all categories of vehicles. Drivers and riders will no longer have to display a as proof that vehicle excise duty has been paid. Good morning/afternoon Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms. Would you please read and sign the following vehicle tax and insurance declaration. If it becomes apparent at any point that the vehicle is not taxed or the insurance is not in order, the driving examiner will have no choice but to abandon the test. We have already changed the candidate s declaration on the DL9 Driving Test Report Form to include a statement that the test vehicle is taxed. Other driving test forms will be updated at the next available opportunity. When your pupil is asked to sign the declaration, the examiner will ask:
USE OF DVA PREMISES BY INSTRUCTORS FOR TRAINING PURPOSES: I am extremely disappointed to continue to be advised of the on-going use of DVA by some instructors for driver : Glenaden Complex, Altnagelvin Industrial Estate: The centre manager of Altnagelvin has advised that some instructors are continually using the parking bays at Altnagelvin for driver. He has raised concerns that driving test candidates have had to wait until driving school vehicles have cleared the bays before they could start the reverse element of their test. Enniskillen & Omagh Centres: I have also received concerns from the Enniskillen and Omagh centre managers regarding the continuous use of their centres by some instructors for purposes. This practice must cease immediately. Centre managers are first and foremost responsible for the operations of DVA test centres. Health and safety issues are only one aspect of their work as is ensuring that centres have sufficient space to be used for testing purposes. The Agency has a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for staff and customers, which includes traffic management during all hours of business. These considerations must be given priority over permitting centres to be used for purposes for instructors.
OVERUSE OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS FOR DRIVER TRAINING: Downpatrick: We have received a complaint from a concerned resident of the Knocknashinna area in Downpatrick regarding the overuse of the area for driving instruction. Newtownards: We have received a complaint from residents regarding the overuse of the Saratoga Avenue/Hardford Link area in Newtownards for driving instruction. We all have a responsibility to resolve such problems and I would again ask you to respond positively to the concerns raised by residents in these. We design test routes to minimise inconvenience to residents as far as possible and we expect ADIs to stay off approved test routes until the latter stages of.